VA benefits for senior care in Ohio can cover far more than most families realize. If your loved one is a veteran, the VA offers home-based medical care, nursing homes, monthly cash payments, and more. The challenge usually isn't eligibility. It's knowing what to ask for.

This guide covers every VA program that helps pay for or provide senior care, how to access them in Ohio, and what happens when VA care isn't enough on its own.

In This Guide

VA Senior Care Programs in Ohio: Long-Term Care Options

The VA offers multiple long-term care programs. Eligibility for each depends on the veteran's enrollment priority group, service-connected disabilities, and clinical need.

Home Based Primary Care (HBPC)

A VA physician supervises a health care team that visits the veteran at home. HBPC is designed for veterans with complex medical needs who have difficulty getting to a clinic regularly. The team typically includes a doctor, nurse, social worker, and may include rehabilitation therapists and a dietitian.

This isn't the same as home health care through Medicare. HBPC provides ongoing, coordinated primary care at home, not just short-term skilled visits. For veterans who qualify, it's one of the best programs the VA offers.

Adult Day Health Care

Veterans attend a structured daytime program that provides health monitoring, social activities, rehabilitation services, and meals. It also gives family caregivers reliable daytime respite. Programs may be at VA facilities or contracted community adult day centers.

Community Living Centers (VA Nursing Homes)

Community Living Centers (CLCs) are VA-run nursing homes providing full nursing facility care, including help with daily activities and skilled nursing. They are located at larger VA medical centers across the country.

CLCs serve veterans who need short-term rehabilitation (after surgery or hospitalization), long-term nursing care, hospice care, or respite care.

Community Nursing Home Program

The VA contracts with community (non-VA) nursing homes to provide care for veterans who need nursing home services but live far from a CLC or when CLC beds aren't available. The VA covers the cost for eligible veterans.

Respite Care

The VA provides at least 30 days of respite care per year for caregivers of enrolled veterans. Respite can be in-home (a substitute caregiver comes to the house) or facility-based (the veteran stays temporarily in a CLC or community nursing home). Contact the VA Caregiver Support Line at 1-855-260-3274.

Not sure which VA program fits your family's situation? Chat with Brevy to get a personalized recommendation.

Ohio Veterans Homes

The Ohio Department of Veterans Services operates two state-run Ohio Veterans Homes: one in Sandusky, in northern Ohio about 60 miles west of Cleveland, and one in Georgetown, in southwestern Ohio about 45 miles east of Cincinnati. Both provide affordable long-term care to aged and disabled Ohio veterans.

Campus Care Offered
Sandusky Standard nursing home care, Alzheimer's/dementia care, skilled nursing care, hospice care, plus an independent-living/limited-supervised-care (domiciliary) program
Georgetown Standard nursing care and Alzheimer's/dementia care

To be eligible for admission, an applicant generally must have been an Ohio resident for at least one year and have been honorably discharged or separated under honorable conditions from the U.S. Armed Forces. Contact the Ohio Department of Veterans Services for availability and current rates.

VA Aid and Attendance

The Aid and Attendance pension is a monthly cash benefit for veterans (or surviving spouses) who need help with daily activities.

2026 Rates

Category Monthly Amount
Veteran alone Up to $2,424
Veteran with spouse Up to $2,874
Surviving spouse Up to $1,558

Who Qualifies

To be eligible, the veteran must have:

  • Served during a wartime period
  • Be 65 or older, or permanently disabled
  • Need regular help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, or feeding
  • Have a net worth below $163,699 (including assets, not counting the primary home)

The VA enforces a 3-year look-back period on asset transfers.

How to Apply

Apply using VA Form 21-2680 (Examination for Housebound Status or Permanent Need for Regular Aid and Attendance) and Form 21P-527EZ (Application for Pension). Processing typically takes several months or longer.

Don't do this alone. The Ohio Department of Veterans Services and your County Veterans Service Office provide free help with VA claims and can significantly improve your chances of approval.

For the full application walkthrough, see our VA Aid and Attendance guide for Ohio.

Veteran-Directed Care

The Veteran-Directed Care (VDC) program gives veterans a flexible budget to hire their own caregivers, including family members. The veteran (or their representative) decides who provides care, what services to purchase, and how to manage the budget.

Unlike many Medicaid self-directed programs, VDC has no blanket prohibition on hiring a spouse as a paid caregiver. A financial management services provider handles payroll and tax obligations. This is a good option for veterans who want control over their care and prefer family members as caregivers.

Contact your local VA medical center's social work department to ask about VDC availability in your area.

Community Care Through the MISSION Act

The MISSION Act (2018) expanded when veterans can receive care from community (non-VA) providers. You may be eligible for community care if:

  • The VA can't offer an appointment within 20 days (primary care/mental health) or 28 days (specialty care)
  • The drive to a VA facility exceeds 30 minutes (primary care) or 60 minutes (specialty care)
  • The care you need isn't available at your VA facility
  • Community care is in your best medical interest

In 2025, the Senator Elizabeth Dole Act removed extra review steps, making it faster for eligible veterans to access community care.

For Ohio veterans in rural areas far from a VA medical center, the MISSION Act can be the difference between getting timely care and waiting months.

How VA Benefits Work with Medicare and Medicaid

VA benefits don't replace Medicare or Medicaid. They work alongside them.

  • VA + Medicare: Many veterans use both. Medicare covers care from non-VA providers, while VA covers care at VA facilities. You can't bill both for the same service, but having both gives you more options.
  • VA + Ohio Medicaid: Aid and Attendance is a federal VA pension administered separately from Ohio Medicaid, with different agencies, applications, and rules, and an Ohio veteran can receive both at the same time. The programs count money differently: for VA pension purposes, unreimbursed medical and care expenses can be deducted from countable income, which can raise the Aid and Attendance amount, while Ohio Medicaid applies its own income and asset tests and treats VA pension income (including the Aid and Attendance amount) as income, which can affect a patient-liability or share-of-cost calculation.
  • Because the two programs interact, the order and timing of applications can matter.

This is where a Veterans Service Officer or elder law attorney earns their value. A benefits counselor who understands both programs should review a case before applying.

How to Get Started

1
Step 1

Confirm VA health care enrollment

If the veteran isn't already enrolled in VA health care, apply at va.gov/health-care/how-to-apply. The VA assigns each enrolled veteran to a priority group (1-8) based on service-connected disabilities, income, and other factors, and higher priority groups get care with lower or no copays.

2
Step 2

Get free help

Don't file claims or applications alone. These organizations provide free assistance:

  • Ohio Department of Veterans Services (ODVS): 877-OHIO-VET (877-644-6838). ODVS connects veterans to the benefits they earned and oversees Ohio's network of County Veterans Service Offices.
  • County Veterans Service Offices: Every one of Ohio's 88 counties has a CVSO staffed by trained, accredited County Veterans Service Officers who help with claims at no cost. Find yours through the ODVS "Find a CVSO" directory.
  • Your local VA medical center social work department
3
Step 3

Gather records

You'll need the veteran's DD-214 (discharge papers), medical records documenting the need for care, and financial information. If you can't find the DD-214, the National Personnel Records Center can provide copies (request through va.gov).

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have to be service-connected disabled to get VA long-term care?

Not for all programs. Veterans with a service-connected disability rated 50% or higher are placed in Priority Group 1 and pay no copays for VA care, which gives them the strongest access to VA long-term care. But other enrolled veterans can access many programs too, depending on their priority group, clinical need, and available resources. Aid and Attendance doesn't require a service-connected disability at all; it requires wartime service, age or disability, and need for help with activities of daily living (ADLs).

Who can be admitted to an Ohio Veterans Home?

An applicant generally must have been an Ohio resident for at least one year and have been honorably discharged or separated under honorable conditions from the U.S. Armed Forces. The Sandusky and Georgetown campuses offer nursing and dementia care, with skilled nursing and hospice care available at Sandusky.

How long does it take to get Aid and Attendance approved?

Typically several months or longer from application to first payment. Working with your County Veterans Service Office or an accredited representative can speed up the process and reduce the chance of errors that cause delays. You can apply while your loved one is already receiving care.

Does the VA pay for assisted living?

The VA doesn't directly operate assisted living facilities, but Aid and Attendance payments can be used to pay for assisted living. The Veteran-Directed Care program can also fund assisted living services.

What if the VA denies the Aid and Attendance claim?

You have three decision review options after a denial: a Supplemental Claim (submit new and relevant evidence), a Higher-Level Review (a more senior reviewer looks at the same evidence), or an appeal to the Board of Veterans' Appeals. You generally have one year from the date on the decision letter to request any of them. Your County Veterans Service Office can prepare and file the appeal on your behalf at no cost.

Next Steps

If you're caring for a veteran who needs help, start by calling the Ohio Department of Veterans Services at 877-OHIO-VET (877-644-6838). They can connect you with your County Veterans Service Office to assess which benefits apply and help you file.

Learn More

VA BenefitsVA Aid and Attendance in OhioVA Aid and Attendance in Ohio for 2026: who qualifies, 2026 rates up to $2,874, how to apply, and free help from ODVS and Ohio county veterans service offices. Care TypesHome Care vs Home Health in OhioOhio non-medical home care vs. skilled home health in 2026: who pays, PASSPORT and Ohio Home Care waivers, Medicare rules, and what each costs this year. Care TypesNursing Homes in OhioHow Ohio licenses and pays for nursing homes in 2026: costs, CMS Care Compare ratings, NF Medicaid spend-down rules, and PASSPORT and MyCare HCBS alternatives. Care TypesCost of Senior Care in OhioCost of senior care in Ohio for 2026: assisted living about $5,975 a month, a nursing home about $110,230 a year. See every setting and how families pay. Care TypesAssisted Living vs Nursing Home in OhioAssisted living vs. a nursing home in Ohio: about $5,500/month, mostly private-pay, vs. roughly $108,405/year for a nursing home Medicaid can cover.
Your next step Find personalized help navigating VA senior care benefits in Ohio at brevy.com.

The information on Brevy.com is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional legal, financial, or medical advice. Rules vary by state and program and change frequently. Always verify with the relevant agency or a qualified professional. Brevy is not a law firm, financial advisor, or healthcare provider.

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